5 Silver Spring Stories You May Have Missed Last Week

SILVER SPRING, MD — Here are some of the stories that made headlines in Silver Spring this week (For more updates on Silver Spring local news delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe to Patch's daily newsletter and free, real-time news alerts):

1. (Update) Silver Spring Apartment Explosion: Victims Still Struggle to Recover

After a natural gas leak caused a devastating explosion and fire at the Flower Branch Apartments that killed seven residents, two of whom were children, emergency personnel raced to the scene. Dozens of residents were injured from burns, jumping from windows and heat exhaustion, and about 100 residents were displaced by the Aug. 10 blast. Amid lawsuits and tragedy, an internal review of Montgomery County's response and recovery shows what went wrong, and it focuses on the need for more bilingual responders.

2. Former Star Athlete and Father Sentence in 3-Month-Old's Death

A Silver Spring man convicted of causing fatal injuries to his infant son that were so severe the child had bleeding on his brain and was put on a respirator before his death was sentenced Thursday to spend 40 years in prison for the boy's death.

3. Kidnapping Scam Warning For Parents in Montgomery County

Montgomery County Public Schools officials are warning parents about virtual kidnapping phone scams, where parents receive a call that their child is kidnapped and will be hurt unless they pay a ransom. Residents have reported receiving calls throughout the past three weeks, a spokesperson for Montgomery County Public Schools told Patch.

4. Muslim/Jewish Unity Vigil in Silver Spring Thursday Night

As part of the group "Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom," a coalition of Muslim and Jewish women, women will lead a unity vigil Thursday night in downtown Silver Spring to protest President Donald Trump's policies, including his immigration ban, which is currently stalled in federal court.

5. Silver Spring Restaurant Scores: Safeway, Olazzo, Doubletree Silver Spring, Sweet Frog

How clean is your favorite coffee shop or restaurant? Find the most recent restaurant and food service inspections in Silver Spring and elsewhere in Montgomery County, performed by the Licensure and Regulatory Office at Health and Human Services.

Photo of Adou Kouadio, courtesy of Montgomery County Police